Let's just say it, on iOPS the whistleblowers were right

It may seem, on the face of it, like a niche issue to keep writing about.

But the story of Greater Manchester Police’s new Capita-built computer system has potentially far-reaching consequences, for the officers using it, for the public, the taxpayer and for the politicians charged with overseeing the force.

In the eight months since the iOPS system was launched last July, we have been inundated with worried approaches from police officers and civilian staff, as well as some council officials, councillors and MPs. Some even walked up to me in the street to say how important the issue was. Many concerns have continued to be raised right up to this week.

From the outset, GMP’s line on this has been that the problems the new system has